Convertible Clutch Bag

ABSTRACT

The Convertible Clutch bag is a clutch style purse that converts to a waist bag (belt bag) allowing users to carry a stylish bag accessory while also providing for hands free use. This clutch bag is a purse with two straps attached to the bag portion at the opposing outside edges of the bag portion. The two straps are an integral part of the design style of the bag when it is used as a clutch style purse. Alternately the ends of the straps can be unwrapped and used as a belt to secure the clutch around the user&#39;s waist for hands free use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/919,344 filed Dec. 20, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to handbags, in particular clutch stylehandbags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The clutch style hand bag is a popular fashion accessory, providing theuser with a convenient storage for necessary items such as cell phones,keys, money, sunglasses, identification and other items. Generallysmaller and less bulky than traditional purses, the clutch bag allowsusers to carry necessary items without being burdened with a large bag.It is also the case that clutch style handbags are often crafted withthe fashionable user in mind, having been made with high qualitymaterials and a thoughtful design. Typically, the clutch bag isstrapless and held or “clutched” in the user's hand. A drawback of thestrapless nature of the clutch bag is the requirement that the user holdthe bag at all times. This can be burdensome to users wishing to havetheir hands free for activities.

The waist bag or “fanny pack” is a bag device typically comprising abulky bag portion, often shaped like a football with straps extendingfrom the ends of the bag. The straps wrap around the waist of the user,securing the bag to the hip region of the user. Waist bags are typicallymade from inexpensive, low quality materials such as nylon. The bulkynature of the waist bag along with its lack of thoughtful design and lowquality materials, often make it a poor choice for fashion minded users.

The shortcomings in the prior art therefore create a need for afashionable clutch style purse that can be adapted for hands-free use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the invention of the present disclosure is a clutch style purse thatconverts to a waist bag (belt bag) allowing users to carry a stylish bagaccessory while also providing for hands-free use. The clutch purse ofthe present invention comprises a bag portion further comprising a frontside, a back side, two opposing outside edges and at least one insidepocket, the clutch purse further comprises two straps coupled to the bagportion at the opposing outside edges of the bag portion. The strapsfurther comprise terminal ends. The terminal ends of the straps furthercomprise a connection means for connecting the terminal ends of thestraps to each other. The back side of the bag portion further comprisesa loop adapted to hold the straps in place when not in use.

In another embodiment, the invention of the present disclosure is amethod of reversibly converting a clutch bag to a waist bag comprisingthe steps of unwrapping two straps coupled to opposing edges of a bagportion and wrapped around the bag portion; wrapping the two strapsaround the waist of a user, securing the two straps together using aconnection means coupled to the terminal ends of the two straps therebysecuring the bag portion around the waist of a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Shows the front side of the bag portion.

FIG. 2: Shows the back side of the bag portion.

FIG. 3: Shows the back side of the bag portion with the strapsunloosened from the front of the bag.

FIG. 4: Shows the front of the bag with the straps unloosened from thefront of the bag.

FIG. 5: Shows a view of the bag from the top illustrating the bagportion and inside pocket.

FIG. 6: Shows the front of the bag with the straps secured for when thebag is in hands-free use as a waist bag.

FIG. 7: Shows a view of a user securing the waist bag in place forhands-free use.

FIG. 8. Illustrates how a user would wear the bag as a waist bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment the invention is a clutch style handbag orpurse (hereinafter “clutch”) that converts to a waist bag. The clutchfurther comprises a bag portion which further comprises a front side 10,a back side 19, two opposing outside edges 14 15, and at least oneinside pocket 20. The clutch further comprises two straps 12 13 coupledto the opposing outside edges of the bag portion. The two straps furthercomprise terminal ends 21 22 which further comprise a means ofconnecting the straps together 11. The back side of the clutch furthercomprises a loop 16 adapted to secure the straps to bag portion when notin use.

The bag portion may be constructed from any material known to thosehaving skill in the art. More particularly, the bag portion may beconstructed from high quality leather and/or canvas and may feature bothfabric and waterproof vinyl liners giving the inside of the bag portionwaterproof functionality and a finished appearance. For example the bagportion may further comprise a three panel construction, wherein thepanels may be different colors and/or different materials. In apreferred embodiment, the bag portion may measure approximately 6″ by 8″making it an ideal clutch-to-belt bag size. Then at least one insidepocket of the bag portion will therefore be large enough to fit a pairof sunglasses. Then at least one inside pocket of the bag portion mayclose using any closure means known to those having skill in the art.For example the bag portion may close via a zipper 17 with a leatherzipper pull 18 along an outside top edge of the bag portion.

The clutch further comprises two straps 12 13 coupled to the opposingedges 14 15 of the bag portion. The straps may be of approximately thesame length or of differing lengths such that one of the straps issubstantially longer than the other strap. In such conformations, onestrap may be about ˜13 inches long and the other strap may be about ˜23inches long such that the total length of the clutch bag including thestraps should be approximately ˜45 inches long, which includes ˜8 inchesof bag. The straps further comprise terminal ends 22 23 which in turnfurther comprise a connection 11 means to fasten the terminal endstogether, thereby allowing the clutch to be fastened around the waist ofa user. Any connection means known to those having skill in the art maybe utilized, as in, for example, a hook and loop closure system, abuckle, or the like. In a preferred embodiment one terminal end of onestrap further comprises two D-rings 11 which allow for the fastening ofthe clutch around the waist of a user by looping one of the strapsthrough the D-rings.

When the user desires to use the clutch as a hand held bag, the strapsare unfastened from around the user's waist and each strap is wrappedaround the bag portion. A loop 16 on the back side 19 of the bag portionserves to hold the straps in place and keep them flush against thesurfaces of the bag portion. The loop may be made from any materialknown to those having skill in the art, as in, for example, leather.Once wrapped around the bag portion the straps are connected togetherusing the connection 11 means located at the terminal ends of thestraps, as in for example by looping the longer strap through theD-rings on the shorter strap, thereby securing the straps to the centerof the front side of the bag portion.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specificembodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of theinvention in addition to those described herein will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Suchmodifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

All references cited herein, including all patents, published patentapplications, and published scientific articles, are incorporated byreference in their entireties for all purposes.

1. A clutch style purse that converts to a waist bag comprising: a bagportion further comprising a front side, a back side, two opposingoutside edges and at least one inside pocket; two straps coupled to thebag portion at the opposing outside edges of the bag portion wherein thestraps further comprise terminal ends; and wherein the terminal ends ofthe straps further comprise a connection means for connecting theterminal ends of the straps to each other; and wherein the back side ofthe bag portion further comprises a loop adapted to hold the straps inplace when not in use.
 2. The clutch style purse of claim 1 wherein thebag portion is made of leather.
 3. The clutch style purse of claim 1wherein the bag portion is made of cotton.
 4. The clutch style purse ofclaim 1 wherein the bag portion is made of neoprene.
 5. The clutch stylepurse of claim 1 wherein the bag portion is made of nylon.
 6. The clutchstyle purse of claim 1 wherein the bag portion is made of vinyl.
 7. Theclutch style purse of claim 1 wherein the bag portion is made of wool.8. A method of reversibly converting a clutch bag to a waist bagcomprising: unwrapping two straps coupled to opposing edges of a bagportion and wrapped around the bag portion; wrapping the two strapsaround the waist of a user; and securing the two straps together using aconnection means coupled to the terminal ends of the two straps therebysecuring the bag portion around the waist of a user.